WALKING WITH THE SPIRIT
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
Galatians 5:16-17 (NIV)
I love this verse. It shows us that the best way to overcome the sins of life is to learn to walk with the Spirit. Said another way, the best defense is a good offense. Don’t try to quit sinning. Instead, fall more in love with God and stay by His side, and sinful desires will melt away. The key is walking in step with the Spirit.
Did you notice the Bible doesn’t mention running with God? It always talks about walking with God.
Our lives are fast-paced and constantly moving, but we must learn to slow down and walk with God. I think about it like this…the Bible and our time with God help us go slow so that we can run fast. In life, we don’t like to walk. We want to run, and we like to hurry. Whenever I’m at the airport, I love getting on the moving walkway because it helps me reach my destination faster. We hurry a lot unnecessarily. We seem built for speed, but God doesn’t speak in speed.
Think about it: the average person walks 3.1 miles an hour, so let’s say God walks at 3.1 miles an hour. If you’re running all over and going 7 miles an hour, you’re ahead of God. If you’re at 2 miles an hour, you’re behind God. So, where are you moving ahead of God? Where are you trying to make things happen where God isn’t? Or where has God called you to be obedient, and you haven’t caught up? God wants to continue speaking when you haven’t been faithful to do what He’s already asked. When you walk in step with God, everything seems to fall into place.
APPLICATION: Get in step with God today. Where are you ahead or behind Him?
PRAYER: Spend time in prayer asking the Spirit to reveal where you are ahead of Him and where you might be behind.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?